in between

I turn the corner and exit the stairwell, hurriedly, only to abruptly encounter one of my employees "Boss, did you get a chance to sign that expense report?" As I tell him that he can walk with me to my office for my signature, my waistband buzzes to let me know that the text message that came across 5 minutes ago still hasn't gained my full attention.  We step through the threshold and up to my desk while the friendly "chime" that lets me know an important email has arrived draws my attention to the screen.  I see a note from an auditor suggesting--which translates into demanding--that we spend an hour together sometime today to go over some financial testing protocols for the grant I oversee.  As my mobile phone receives another text, my secretary announces that there is someone in the lobby to see me and reminds me about a report that's due tomorrow.  My desk phone starts ringing as I retrieve my pen from my pocket...

Inhale.

There is a breeze caressing my face and the soft smell of sandalwood.  In the distance a bird rises slowly from the branch of a cherry tree--blossoms falling ever so lightly into the distance.  Wind chimes lean into each other in a beautiful musical sway while two thousand years of wisdom flow into the space between my ears, my heart, my mind, my soul, my being, my...

Exhale.


... and sign the expense report so that I can be on time for my meeting with the auditor.